Pipe, valve and/or tee coupler

ABSTRACT

A pipe coupler for interconnecting pipes and components together, for transferring bulk and fluid materials, and useful for connecting sections of pipe-end-to-end. The coupler connects grooved pipe to ground pipe, smooth pipe to grooved pipe or smooth pipe to smooth pipe. Also tees, valves, and pipe sections can be secured together. The coupler has an adjustable bail that can be adjusted to assure a tight seal despite any wear. The coupler also eliminates any gaps that may trap material and lead to cross-contamination of subsequent loads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to pipe couplers, more specifically toan adjustable coupler with an improved gasket.

Clamps and couplers used to connect sections of pipe, end-to-end, areknown to the art. Such clamps often are employed to connect sections ofpipe or hopper tees on tank cars. In certain applications, particularlyin dry bulk hauling, the integrity of the seal at the pipe connectionsis critical in preventing cross contamination of the productssequentially hauled in the tank cars. Often pellets or powders arehauled in the tank cars. The pellets or powders are unloaded throughgravity gates valves or hoppers located on the bottom of the tank cars.Hopper tees attached to the bottom of the hopper are connected tocollection pipes. Sometimes a vacuum is employed through the pipe tofacilitate the emptying of the dry bulk products. All of the dry bulkproduct must be removed to prevent contamination of subsequent loads.For example, if the hauler is carrying black plastic resin beads, all ofthe black plastic resin must be removed from the car, as well as thehopper and piping, to prevent contamination of a subsequent white orother colored plastic resin load. Another example is the transportationof edible white flour. If flour is trapped in the tank car or the pipingsystem and develops mold, a subsequent flour load will be exposed to themold. Obviously, there can be cross contamination of bulk liquids aswell as bulk dry loads. Such contamination can destroy a load, force itsdisposal, and at heavy costs.

It is known in the art that contamination can occur at the point ofcoupling the pipes and the hopper tees. Prior art clamps employ gasketseals that can trap product. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate components of atypical prior art clamp. Prior art clamp 1 is a typical overcenter clamphaving two semi-circular sides 3 and 5 connected by hinge 7. Aconventional overcenter lever 9 and cam 10 clamping means is used todraw the two halves tightly together to surround the clamp joint. Adeformable gasket 11 lines the interior groove 12 of clamp 1. Adeformable gasket of the prior art type is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Ascan be seen, gasket 11 has outer walls 13 and 14 with a center member 16designed to deform and press against the pipe joint. Gaps 18 and 20between the respective sides and the middle member create areas in whichmaterial, for example, dry bulk material such as plastic resins orflour, can become entrapped. It is nearly impossible to remove suchmaterial once it is lodged deep in the gaps 18 and 20.

There are other problems other than cross contamination associated withprior art clamps such as clamp 1. Such prior art clamps have no meansfor adjustment. The clamp, even when new, can be difficult to open andclose. Lever 9 and cam 10 wear during use until clamp 1 loosens andfails. This type of clamp must be changed and discarded, leading towaste and increased costs.

Furthermore, such clamps of the type shown in FIG. 1 are made of castiron and mild steel parts. Clamp 1 can corrode from exposure to theenvironment. Once corroded, the clamp is nearly impossible to removefrom the pipe P or hopper T. The user must pry lever 9 with a pry bar orlength of small diameter pipe. Then the user must beat two halves 3 and5 apart with a hammer to separate them.

Finally, such clamps are not versatile in that they are not easilyadapted to connect different pipe sections together. For example, theclamp may be needed to connect two sections of smooth pipe, connect twosection of grooved pipe or connect a smooth pipe to a grooved pipe.Prior art clamps may work to connecting similar pipes, but do notaccommodate different styles of pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a pipecoupler having an adjustable clamping bail that can be adjusted toaccommodate changes in tolerances due to wear.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pipe coupler thatcan be adapted to connect sections of grooved pipe end-to-end, connect agrooved pipe to a smooth pipe end-to-end, or connect two sections ofsmooth pipe, end-to-end.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe coupleremploying a gasket seal that compresses flush to the pipe sectionsleaving no spaces or gaps to collect material.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gasketseal that provides greater sealing surface and the pipe joint.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a pipecoupler made from long lasting corrosion-resistant material.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe couplerthat requires no tools to couple or uncouple.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pipecoupler that is durable, long lasting, economical to manufacture.

In accordance with the invention, briefly stated, a pipe coupler isprovided having an adjustable clamping bail and a gap sealing gasket.The coupler has a first and second, semi-circular clamping arms which,together, define an annular opening to encircle the respective ends ofthe pipes to be joined. The arms are connected with a hinge. The firstarm has a cam with a lever. An adjustable clamping bail is connected tothe lever. The second arm has a boss to engage the bail when clamped onpipe. The first and second clamping arms each have a generally U-shapedprofile defined by a bottom wall and first and second opposed sidewalls. A sealing gasket seats in a groove between the walls and iscompressed by the two halves when the coupler is closed. In oneembodiment of the invention each of the clamping arm side walls has araised rib thereon. The rib engages an annular groove formed in a end ofa section of pipe to connect two grooved sections of pipe together. Inanother embodiment, the first side wall on each arm has a raised ribthat engages a grooved pipe and the second side wall on each arm has asmooth flange to engage a smooth end of pipe. This embodiment is used toconnect a smooth pipe to a grooved pipe. In a third embodiment, each armside wall has a smooth flange formed thereon to engage a smooth pipe toconnect two smooth ends of pipe together. The inner wall of the gaskethas raised ridges with one ridge positioned to seal the pipe joint. Asthe coupler is installed, it compresses the gasket around the pipe atthe joint and spreads the ridges to fill up the inside diameter of theclamp to provide a greater sealing surface at both the pipe joint. Thegasket has no gaps or grooves to collect material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a prior art pipe clamp;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a prior art pipe clamp applied to twosections of pipe;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a prior art pipe clamp gasket;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the prior art gasket taken alonglines 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is an isometric view of one illustrative embodiment of the pipecoupler of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view taken across lines 5B--5B of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5C--5C of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, front plan of the bail assembly of the pipecoupler of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the pipe coupler of FIG. 5, partiallyapplied to two sections of pipe;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the pipe coupler of FIG. 6 with animproved gasket of the present invention in place;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the pipe coupler of FIG. 7 applied to twosections of pipe;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the coupler gasket of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11--11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is an isometric view of another illustrative embodiment of thepipe coupler of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12B--12B of FIG.12A;

FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12C--12C of FIG.12A;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the pipe coupler of FIG. 12A partiallyapplied to two sections of pipe;

FIG. 14A is an isometric view of another illustrative embodiment of thepipe coupler of the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 14B--14B of FIG.14A;

FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 14C--14C of FIGS.14A, and

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the pipe coupler of FIG. 14A partiallyapplied to two sections of pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An illustrative embodiment of a pipe coupler of the present invention isindicated generally by reference numeral 30 in FIG. 5 and 6. Coupler 30has a first clamping arm 32.and a second clamping arm 34. The respectiveclamping arms are generally semi-circular in profile. First clamping arm32 has a first end 36 and a second end 38. A hinge portion 40 isintegrally formed at the first end. A conventional hole and pin 44function as the hinge portion. There is a mount 46 at the second end.Mount 46 has a first wall 48 and a second wall 50 defining a space 52. Ahole 54 is formed centrally in cam wall 48 and there is a correspondingaligned hole (not shown) in wall 50. A pin (not shown) extends throughthe holes to form a lever hinge as will now be explained.

A bail lever 56 is pivotally attached to mount 46. Lever 56 is generallyarcuate in profile and has a handle section 58 at a first end and a hole(not shown) at a second end. As stated above, the pin 54 is inserted inthe mount holes and extends through the hole in the second end of lever56 to form a hinge. A raised boss 60 is integrally formed on theinterior curve of lever 56. As can be seen in FIG. 5B, first clampingarm 32 has a generally U-shaped cross-section. Arm 32 has a first sidewall 62, an opposed second side wall 64 and a bottom or base wall 66.The respective walls define a groove 68 to seat a gasket, as will beexplained below. First side wall 62 has a raised rib 70 integrallyformed thereon. Rib 70 extends the length of wall 62. Second side wall64 has a raised rib 72 formed thereon. Rib 72 extends the entire lengthof wall 64.

An adjustable bail assembly 80 is pivotally attached to bail lever 56.Bail assembly 80 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6. Bail assembly 80has a generally U-shaped bail 82 with a horizontal section 83 andopposed arms 84 and 86. Bail arm 84 terminates in a threaded portion 88.Arm 86 terminates the threaded portion 90. A pivot rod 92 extendsthrough a hole (not shown) in bail lever 56. A first end 95 of rod 92has a flat side 96. A second end 98 of rod 92 has a flat side 100. Apair of spacers 102 and 104 are positioned on rod 92 on each side oflever 56. Spacers 102 and 104 can be made out of teflon, plastic, hardenrubber or any other appropriate wear-resistant material. A firsttightening nut 106 is threadily engaged on threaded portion 88 above rodend 95. Second tightening nut 108 is threadily engaged on the threadedportion 88 below rod end 95. A third tightening nut 110 is threadilyengaged on the threaded portion 90 of arm 86 above rod end 98 and afourth tightening nut 112 is threadily engaged on threaded portion 90below rod end 98. It should be noted, at this point, that bail 80 androd 92 as well as the other components, other than the spacers, are madefrom a harden steel or other appropriate material. The construction ofbail assembly 80 allows for the adjustment of bail 80 relative to lever54. Bail assembly 80 can be tightened by the various tightening nuts toproperly adjust the tension on the bail when the coupler is fastened inplace even if there are changes in tolerances due to wear.

Second clamping arm 34 has a first end 120 and a second end 122. Thereis a conventional hinge portion 122 on the first end 120 and designed tocooperate with hinge portion 40 to form a secure hinge. The hinge allowsthe clamping arms to pivot relative to each other for opening andclosing.

A boss 124 is integrally formed at the second end of clamping arm 34.Boss 124 has a groove 125 formed therein to seat horizontal portion 83of bail 82 when the coupler is closed and locked. As can be best seen inFIG. 5C, arm 34 has a generally U-shaped profile nearly identical tothat of arm 32. Arm 34 has a first side wall 126, a second side wall 128and a bottom wall 130. The respective walls define a groove 132 to seata gasket as will be explained below. First side wall 126 has a raisedrib 134 integrally formed thereon. Rib 134 extends the length of wall126. Second side wall 128 has a raised rib 136 formed thereon. Rib 136extends the length of wall 128.

Coupler 30 is designed to join together two sections of pipe havingannular grooves cut in the surface of the respective pipe sections nearthe joint as best illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 pipe sections P1 and P2 haveannular grooves 140 and 142 formed therein near joint J. The respectiveraised ribs 70, 72, 134 and 136 seat in the corresponding grooves 140and 142 when the clamping arms 32 and 34 are pivoted about the hingetoward each other. The respective clamping arms encircle joint J. Agasket 150, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, isseated in grooves 68 and 132 and surrounds joint J. For clarity ofillustration, FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the coupler 30 relative tothe pipe sections without gasket 150 in place. FIG. 8 illustrates thearrangement of the coupler and the pipe with gasket 150 in place. Asshown in FIG. 9, horizontal section 83 of bail 82 engages groove 125 onboss 124. Lever 54 is pushed down until boss 60 abuts arm 32. Bail 82 ispulled into groove 125, and lever 56 locks down, securing couple 30 inplace. Gasket 150 is compressed under the respective clamping arms, asto completely seal joint J. The configuration of the bail 82 and thegroove 125 on boss 124 is such as to allow a lesser leverage pressurerequired to manipulate the lever 56 to lock and unlock the couplerduring its usage and applications.

Gasket 150 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 10 and 11. Gasket 150 ismade from a deformable, impervious material such as rubber, or polymer.Gasket 150 has an annular body 153 with an outer surface 155 and aninner surface 157 with a material thickness 158 inbetween. Inner surface157 defines internal bore 160. Inner surface 157 has three symetricalridges 160, 161 and 162 integrally formed as a serration like surfacethereon. The middle ridge 161 is positioned to align with pipe joint J.Since gasket 150 is made of a deformable material, the ridges 160-162compress and flatten when the coupler is closed and locked. Thecompression flattens and spreads ridges 160-162 and seals joint J. Thereare no gaps.

Another illustrative embodiment of the coupler of the present invention,is shown in FIGS. 12A-13 and is indicated, generally, by referencenumeral 200. Coupler 200, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, is designed to connect two sections of pipe, one section having asmooth end surface and the other having an annular groove cut in thesurfaces. Coupler 200 has a first clamping arm 232 and a second clampingarm 234. The respective clamping arms are generally semi-circular inprofile. First clamping arm 232 has a first end 236 and a second end238. A hinge portion 240 is integrally formed at the first end. Aconventional hole and pin 244 function as a hinge. There is a cam 246 atthe second end. Cam 246 has a first wall 248 and an opposed second wall250. A pin (not shown) extends through the holes to form a lever hinge,as will now be explained. A bail lever 256 is pivotally attached to cam244. Lever 256 is generally arcuate and profile having a handle portion258 at a first end and a hole (not shown) at a second end. As statedabove, pin 244 extends through the holes in the hinge portion andthrough the hole (not shown) in the second end of the lever 256 to forma hinge for the pivotal movement of bail lever 256. A raised boss 260 isintegrally formed on the interior curvature of lever 256.

As can be seen in FIG. 12B, first clamping arm 232 has a generallyU-shaped cross-section. Arm 32 has a first side wall 262, a second sidewall 264 and a bottom wall 266. The respective walls define a groove 268to seat a gasket, as previously explained relative to coupler 30. Firstside wall 262 has an integral flange 270 which protrudes outwardly fromside wall 262 and also extends the length of wall 262. Second side wall264 has a raised rib 272 integrally formed thereon. Rib 272 extends theentire length of wall 264. An adjustable bail assembly 280 is pivotallyattached to bail lever 256. Bail assembly 280 is identical inconstruction and function to bail 80, as previously described withreference to coupler 30 above.

Second clamping arm 234 has a first end 290 and a second end 292. Thereis a conventional hinge portion 294 on first end 290 that cooperateswith hinge portion 240 to form a conventional hinge, as previouslyexplained. A boss 295 is integrally formed at the second end of arm 234.Boss 295 has a groove 296 formed therein to seat the bail when thecoupler is locked, as previously described. As can best seen in FIG.12C, arm 234 has a generally U-shaped profile which is a mirror image ofthat of arm 232. Arm 234 has a first side wall 300, second side wall 302and a bottom wall 304. The respective walls define a groove 306 to seata gasket. Obviously, in usage, a gasket as previously described, willfit within the coupler. First side wall 300 has an integral flange 308integrally formed thereon. Flange 308 protrudes out from wall 300 andextends the length of wall 300. Second side wall 302 has a raised rib310 formed thereon. Rib 310 extends the length of wall 302.

Coupler 200 is designed to join together segments of pipe, one having anannular groove machined in the surface near the joint and the otherhaving a smooth surface, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Pipe section P1 hasan annular groove 315. The raised ribs 272 and 310 seat in the groove315. Flange 270 and 308 protrudes outwardly from the respective armwalls and abut the smooth end of pipe P2. Coupler 200 is shown without agasket in FIG. 13 for clarity of illustration. However, in use, agasket, as illustrated in FIG. 10, is placed around pipe joint J andseats in the respective grooves between the respective clamping arm sidewalls.

FIGS. 14A through 15 shown another illustrative embodiment of the pipecoupler of the present invention, for use in coupling two ends of smoothand ungrooved pipe sections together. Indicated generally by referencenumeral 400. Coupler 400 has a first clamping arm 402 and a secondclamping arm 404. The respective arms are generally semi-circular inprofile. First clamping arm 402 has a first end 406 and a second end408. First end 406 has a conventional hinge arrangement as previouslydescribed with reference to the other illustrative embodiments. There isa cam 410 at the second end. Cam 410 has a first wall 412 and a secondwall 414 defining space 416. A hole 418 is formed centrally in cam 48and there is a corresponding hole (not shown) in cam wall 414 (notshown). A pin (not shown) extends through the hole to form a lever hingeas previously explained. A bail lever 420 is pivotally attached to cam406. Lever 420 is generally arcuate and profile, as previouslyexplained, and has a handle section 422. As stated above, a hole in thesecond end of the lever fits into cam 406 in a hinge-like arrangement.Raised boss 424 is integrally formed on the internal curve of the lever.

As can been seen in FIG. 14B, first clamp arm 402 has a generallyU-shaped cross section. Arm 402 has a first side wall 430, a second sidewall 432 and a bottom wall 434. The respective walls define a groove440. Groove 440 is disposed to seat a gasket as previously explained.First side wall 430 has an integral flange 442 formed thereon andprotruding outwardly from side wall 430. Flange 442 extends the lengthof wall 430. Second side wall 432 has an integral flange 444 formedthereon, protruding outwardly from wall 432 and extending the length ofwall 432. The coupler 400 has an adjustable bail assembly, showngenerally at 450, which is identical to bail assembly 80 previouslydescribed. Second clamping arm 34 has a first end 460 and a second end462. There is a conventional hinge type apparatus connecting therespective first ends of the clamping arms as previously described withreference to the other embodiments. A boss 464 is integrally formed onthe second end of arm 404. Boss 464 has a groove 466 to seat the bailwhen the coupler is locked as previously described. As can be best seenin FIG. 14C, arm 404 has a generally U-shaped profile nearly identicalto that of arm 402. Arm 404 has a first side wall 470, a second sidewall 472 and a bottom wall 474 the respective walls define a groove 476for the seating of a gasket as previously explained. First side wall 670has an integral flange 480 formed thereon and protruding out from sidewall 470. Flange 480 extends the length of wall 470. Side wall 472 has aflange 482 integrally formed thereon and protruding outwardly from thewall. Coupler 400 is designed to join two sections of smooth pipe, asillustrated in FIG. 15. Coupler 400 is shown without a gasket forclarity of illustration. The respective flanges 442, 444, 480 and 480abut the smooth surfaces of pipes P3 and P4 to secure them together.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications can be made in the coupler without departing from thescope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the various couplers areshown connecting sections of pipe. It will be understood that thecoupler is intended to join sections of pipe to hopper tees. Bothgrooved and smooth, as well as connecting sections of conventional pipe.

Therefore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings areintended to be illustrative only and should not be construed in alimiting sense.

I claim:
 1. A coupler for connecting two sections of pipe, end-to-end,comprising:a first and second semi-circular clamping arm, each saidclamping arm having a first end portion and a second end portion; eachsaid first end portion connected together to allow for pivotal movementof said arms; a mounting means on the second end portion of said firstarm; a bail lever attached to said mounting means, said bail leverhaving sides, and a pivotal spacer means extending from each side of thebail lever and being mounted to said bail lever; a bail assemblyattached to said extending pivotal spacer means, said bail assemblyhaving a generally U-shaped configuration, and capable of pivotinggenerally in alignment with a plane formed between the ends of the twocontiguous pipe sections when coupled; said bail assembly beingadjustable in its attachment to the spacer means; a boss on the secondend of said second arm for accepting said bail assembly; each said firstand said second arms having a generally U-shaped cross section with afirst side wall and a second side wall defining a groove for seating ofa gasket; said first and second side walls of each said arm having araised rib formed thereon, each said rib disposed to seat in an annulargroove formed approximate an end of a section of pipe.
 2. The inventionof claim 1 wherein said bail assembly is adjustable in its connectionwith the spacer means to accommodate changes in tolerances due to wearof said coupler.
 3. The coupler of claim 1 wherein said clamping armsand said lever are formed from an aluminum alloy.
 4. The coupler ofclaim 1 wherein said bail assembly is made of stainless steel.
 5. Thecoupler of claim 1 having a gasket seated in said groove, said gaskethaving a generally annular shape with an outer and an inner wall, saidinner wall defining a bore, said outer wall being smooth so as to seatin said groove and said inner wall having a plurality of ridges.
 6. Acoupler for connecting two sections of pipe, end-to-end comprising:afirst and second semi-circular clamping arm, each said clamping armhaving a first end portion and a second end portion; each said first endportions connected together to allow for pivotal movement of said arms;a cam means on the second end portion of said first arm; a leverattached to said cam means, said lever having sides, and a pivotalspacer means extending from each side of the lever and being mountedthereto; a bail assembly pivotally attached to said spacer means, saidbail assembly having a generally U-shaped configuration; said bailassembly capable of pivoting generally in alignment with a plane formedbetween the ends of the two contiguous pipe sections when coupled; saidbail assembly being adjustable in its attachment to the spacer means; aboss on the second end of the second arm for accepting said bailassembly; each said first and said second clamping arm having agenerally U-shaped cross-section with a first side wall and a secondside wall defining a groove for seating a gasket; said first side wallof each arm having a smooth flange formed thereon for the seating of asmooth end of a section of pipe and said second side wall of each armhaving a smooth flange formed thereon for the seating of a smooth end ofa section of pipe.
 7. A coupler for connecting two sections of pipe or asection of pipe to an adjustable hopper T, end-to-end comprising:a firstand second semi-circular clamping arm, each said clamping arm having afirst end portion and a second end portion; each said first end portionsconnected together to allow for pivotal movement of said arms; a cammeans on the second end portion of said first arm, and a lever pivotallyattached to said cam means; said lever having sides, and a pivotalspacer means extending from each side of the lever and being mounted tothe said lever; a bail assembly attached to said extending pivotalspacer means, said bail assembly having a generally U-shaped bail, andcapable of pivoting generally in alignment with a plane formed betweenthe ends of the two sections of pipe or a section of pipe to a hopper Twhen coupled; said bail assembly being adjustable in its attachment tothe spacer means; a boss on the second end of said second arm foraccepting said bail; each said first and said second clamping arm havinga generally U-shaped cross-section with a first side wall and a secondside wall defining a groove for seating a gasket; said first side wallof each said arm having a raised rib formed thereon, each rib disposedto seat in an annular groove in an end of a section of pipe and saidsecond side wall of each arm having a smooth flange formed thereon forthe seating of a smooth end of a section of pipe.
 8. The invention ofclaims 1, 6 or 7, wherein said bail assembly being generally U-shaped,formed having a pair of arms each terminating in a threaded portion, thethreaded portion of each bail arm extending through said spacer means,and an adjustable fastener securing to each bail arm and capable ofadjusting the U-shaped bail with respect to the lever to which itpivotally attaches for adjusting the tensioning on the bail when thecoupler is fastened in place around the pipe ends.